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KANSAS CITY – Eastern Illinois shot 29 percent from the floor as the Panthers dropped a 79-46 contest to UAB on the first day of the Plaza Lights Classic.  EIU will play host UMKC at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The Panthers fell to 2-4 on the year while UAB improved to 4-3 as the Blazers had three players score in double figures led by Illinois native Karisma Chapman (Calumet City) with 19 points.

UAB opened the first half shooting 56 percent from the floor as they led 45-20 at the half.  The game was tied at 2-2 before the Blazers went on a 15-5 run to extend the lead to ten points at 17-7 on an Ashley Grimes lay-up.  Grimes had 17 points for UAB.

Morgan Palombizio scored all five of her points in the first half as EIU was limited to 25 percent shooting in the first half.

The Panthers warmed up slightly from the field in the second half as Katlyn Payne finished in double figures to lead EIU with 15 points.  After going 0-for-9 from the floor in the first half, Payne was 5-of-8 from the field in the second 20 minutes.

EIU improved its defense in the second half holding UAB to 34 percent shooting in the second twenty minutes and 45 percent for the game.  UAB dominated play on the glass with a 48-30 rebound advantage.  Brittany Winborne had nine rebounds for UAB; Payne led EIU with nine rebounds.

The Panthers did block 12 shots with three each by Payne, Sabina Oroszova and DeAnna Willis.  Oroszova, the Panthers leading scorer entering the game, was held to seven points.